







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| He also wants to increase our rent by 50%! | |
| That's why they're 50% off. | |
| I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | |
| It's not borrowing, it's stealing! | |
| It's difficult to find all the items manually on the self-checkout. | |
| I really don't know, but I believe it's more than 100 years old. | |
| What kind of trick is that? | |
| Erm, sorry, but I think you have the wrong Mike... | |
| I guess mine is older than yours! | |
| Well, I hope he doesn't keep on pooping all around the house! | |
| I think Diego and I are the only smokers in the house. | |
| Right! Who wants chardonnay, then? | |
| Here you go sir, this is your receipt and your £20 cashback. | |
| Is she here with you? | |
| We call it a sixth sense! | |
| I don't like smoking in the kitchen. | |
| Plus the bathroom and the kitchen are clean. | |
| Um.. it could be blue, I don't really remember. | |
| Your perfectly shaped mushrooms are ready! | |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | |